Skills / Defending

Jockeying

How to defend one against one: get close, get low, show the attacker one way and wait for your chance.

Attacker L R 20 cm
  • Foot on the ball
  • Ball's path

From about age 8

When to use it

Whenever an attacker is running at you with the ball.

Get it right

  • Close down fast while the ball is travelling to them.
  • Slow down as you get close: small steps, so you can change direction.
  • Get side-on, knees bent, one foot in front of the other.
  • Stand so the open side is where you want them to go, usually away from goal.
  • Stay on your feet. Wait for a heavy touch, then step in and win it.

Watch out for

  • Diving in, so a simple touch takes them past you.
  • Standing square with your feet together, so they can go either way.
  • Arriving at full speed, so you can't stop.

Drawn for the right foot. Learn it on your weaker foot too: it doubles the number of ways you can go.

In a match

Practising a skill is half of it. Here is when it turns up in a game, and what to look for.

Where
Defending 1v1, anywhere on the pitch.
The moment
An attacker runs at you with the ball and you have no cover yet.
Match mistake
Diving in. Stay on your feet and wait for the bad touch or for help to arrive.

Try it in your next match. In every 1v1, slow the attacker down and show them the way you want them to go.

Match moments where it counts: A winger runs at you · Defend a corner · Defend a throw-in

Practise it

Drills where you will use this skill again and again.